Gordon Chester
Candidate for City Council Member, San Jose, District 9 · City of San Jose Infrastructure Engineer
Gordon Chester has lived his whole life in the Cambrian area, in his childhood home, with his wife and daughter. He has worked for the City of San Jose for over ten years. He now works in the Public Works department. There, he oversees telecom firms that operate in the city. He said he saw a gap and wanted to step up as a father, for his daughter's future.
Positions in brief
Chester wants safer streets and sidewalks. He wants stable housing for owners and renters, help for small shops, and careful city budgets.
On streets, he wants sidewalks and bike lanes built for everyone, not just cars. He wants more fire crews and stations to match the city's growth. He wants a police force he calls both quick to respond and easy to hold to account. On housing, he wants to help owners and renters stay in their homes. He backs new housing built the right way, while guarding against displacement. He wants real help for unhoused people to get back on their feet. On the economy, he backs small shops and projects that create local jobs. He wants city services paid for in every neighborhood, not just the richest ones. On the budget, he wants the city to save in good years and build up its reserves.
On the issues
- Public Safety & Policing
Wants streets and sidewalks designed for pedestrians and cyclists as well as drivers, with protected bike lanes and well-lit crosswalks, more firefighting crews to keep pace with growth, and a police department he calls responsive and accountable.
“streets and sidewalks designed for everyone who uses them, not just cars speeding through our neighborhoods”
Source → - Housing & Homelessness
Wants to help homeowners and renters stay in their homes, encourage responsible new housing while protecting existing neighborhoods from displacement, and provide real assistance to help unhoused residents restart their lives.
“financial stability for homeowners and renters so they can stay in their homes”
Source → - Economy & Jobs
Backs policies supporting small-business growth and infrastructure projects that create local jobs, and wants city services funded in every neighborhood.
“policies that support small business growth”
Source → - Government, Elections & Democracy
Wants the city to build long-term budget reserves in strong years and streamline housing permitting.
“saving in strong years, building long-term reserves, and investing strategically to protect our future”
Source → - Environment, Energy & Climate
Supports environmentally thoughtful land use in development decisions.
“environmentally thoughtful land use and designing intergenerational ways of living”
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.